#Allie fink install#
#Allie fink full#

With fresh water in the nearby creek, this particular location just across the footbridge and to the left in the community park is flanked by picnic tables and a play area for little ones an obvious choice for optimal butterfly viewing.

#Allie fink full#

She is studying horticulture at Oregon State University although that's a long commute from Lafayette she takes her full load of classes online and anticipates graduating next summer.īutterflies like to stay warm so three large boulders selected by Orlando, which have a bit of a natural dip in the center to hold water, were placed in the sunny center of the garden to be a natural heater. Orlando carefully researched types of low maintenance native plants that will attract butterflies and mapped out the best spots for sun- and shade-loving plants that won't need much watering after they're established. Merriewood is an afterschool day care facility associated with Burton Valley Elementary School just over the hill. Looking to create a tasty nectar-rich environment Greg Travers, parks maintenance specialist worked with intern Lena Orlando and Merriewood's Kevin Feinstein to come up with the garden project filled with native flowering plants like monkey flower, sage, asters and mugwort that offer lots of tasty treats. While pollinating honey bees are generally a very good thing, they may not be a terrific combination with little helpers. 'Fat and happy honeybees, with no home to protect, are less likely to sting,' advises the Mount Diablo Bee Keepers Association.

Bee swarming is a natural phenomenon bees leave their home hive because it's getting over-crowded as more nectar and pollen are stored in the hive. Harris is on a list of volunteers, with the Mount Diablo Beekeepers Association, who remove swarms. 'What are the odds that a swarm of bees would decide to take refuge in an oak tree that is right next to the butterfly garden?' said Parks, Trails and Recreation Director Jennifer Russell just a couple of hours from scheduled planting.Īlthough he didn't have a cape or a bat/bee mobile, Lafayette bee guy Steven Harris happened to pick up his phone and was available to come immediately and gently collect the swarm and move it to a more appropriate location.

#Allie fink install#

Just a few hours before young helpers from Merriewood Children's Center were slated to walk over to install native plants in a brand new butterfly garden, bees congregated a little too close for comfort. Except unlike Batman, Parks and Recreation staff needed a bee hero to save the day. Pint-Sized Gardeners Plant Butterfly-Friendly Nativesįrom left, Allie Fink, Alicia Hober and Arlee Farrell help install a variety of native plants for butterflies and Community Park visitors to enjoy.Ĭue the bat, or rather bee, signal.